The Referrals Committee Mr. Laurence McFerran (in the chair), Mr. N.B. Wachman and Mr. N.P. Lambert convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co. Kildare on 11th December 2019 to consider the referral of Mr. Patrick G. Kelly (Trainer) and P.J. Cawley (Rider) by the Stewards at Limerick on 29th November 2019.
On the day, following the running of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, the Stewards wished to enquire into the running and riding of Presenting Dylan, placed fourth, ridden by P.J. Cawley, and trained by Patrick G. Kelly. However, they were unable to proceed with this enquiry as the trainer was not present and did not have a nominated authorised representative to act on his behalf. The Stewards therefore referred both the running and riding of Presenting Dylan and the trainer’s failure to nominate an Authorised Representative to the Referrals Committee for consideration in accordance with the provisions of Rule 212 and Rule 147
Evidence was heard from Mr. Kelly. Mr. Brian Cawley attended on behalf of P.J. Cawley and submitted a written statement from P.J. Cawley for consideration. The Referrals Committee also viewed footage of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Kelly explained that he had instructed Mr. Cawley to follow another horse of his in the race and to give him light at the hurdles. He was of the opinion that his charge ran on past tiring horses in the closing stages. He outlined some of the horse’s characteristics and he concluded that the horse could not have done any better in the circumstances and that he was satisfied with the ride given to Presenting Dylan.
In P.J. Cawley’s written submissions he stated that the horse had gurgled turning in and leaned right.
Mr. Kelly accepted that he had failed to appoint an Authorised Representative on the day which was an oversight that he would address.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Patrick G. Kelly to be in breach of Rule 147(v) in that he had failed to appoint an Authorised Representative at the race meeting and imposed a fine of €130.
The Committee noted the explanations given by both Mr. Kelly and P.J. Cawley regarding the running and riding of the horse. They noted that P.J. Cawley had not reported the issues with the horse in the closing stages as required under Rule 213 and found him in breach of that rule, suspending him for 1 day and ordering that he contribute €150 towards the IHRB costs.
The case was presented by Mr. Liam Walsh, Stipendiary Steward, IHRB and Ms. Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.
Date of Suspension: 31st December 2019